A Double Burial from Shahr-I Sokhta Necropolis (Iran). Bioarcheological Investigations and Non-Invasive Biotechnological Studies on Fragments of Human Remains

Researchers have successfully demonstrated that non-destructive biotechnological techniques can extract valuable scientific data from fragments of human remains, preserving precious archaeological samples. Using a double burial from the Shahr-i Sokhta necropolis in southeastern Iran, the study employed micromolecular analysis via optical, scanning, and transmission electron microscopy to identify organic compounds like tubulin in subadult femur fragments. This approach, requiring only a few grams of sample, offers a groundbreaking method for interdisciplinary bioarchaeological investigations without compromising material integrity.

Milanesi, C., Vignani, R., Scali, M., Faleri, C., Cresti, M., Donne, M. D., Canci, A., Friziero, M., Sebastiani, A., & Sajjadi, S. M. S. (2023). A Double Burial from Shahr-I Sokhta Necropolis (Iran). Bioarcheological Investigations and Non-Invasive Biotechnological Studies on Fragments of Human Remains. Archaeological Discovery, 11(01), 1–15. https://doi.org/10.4236/ad.2023.111001